After completing 22.547 km (about 14 miles) on a bike within one hour, 105-year-old cyclist Robert Marchand said: "I'm not a phenomenon. I'm not looking to make progress. When you get up over 100 years, you can't mess around… Tonight, I'll party with all my friends." Words to live by.
The world's population is changing in ways that could barely be imagined a generation ago and at a pace that is faster than any in recorded history. A recent United Nations World Population Ageing report cites that between 2015 and 2030, the number of people in the world aged 60 years or over is projected to grow by 56 %, from 901 million to 1.4 billion. And by 2050, the global population of older persons is anticipated to more than double its size of 2015, reaching nearly 2.1 billion.
This ageing society is primarily due to increased life expectancy, a recent phenomenon that did not emerge until the 1970s. Additionally, fertility rates in developed countries and many economies have fallen so far that they face a shortage of younger workers and consumers.
Ageing Society is one of the Mega Trends in the world, stemming from medical advancements that prolong people's lives. However, the essential question for the ageing society is not about the lifespan; It is about "the quality of life when people age?".
In the past few years, Fleurenville has become increasingly invested in the "silver economy" and how we can prepare and support our senior market. This means adapting or inventing products and services corresponding to the needs of our residents and in all sectors. At the same time, we need to consider the products and services offered to younger populations so that they will still be useful when these people age.
The growth of the health and wellness market is not the only result of the rising ageing society trend but also the impact of the health trend in general. People start taking care of their health at a younger age. Health and wellness go beyond health products, and older people want to retire in comfort and enjoy life after retirement.
Another exciting trend for the ageing society is technology. Technology is spreading and reaching more and more people. As it has become a prominent part of our society, seeing an 80-year-old using a cell phone or computer is normal. So, it is vital to ask, "What technology will our residents use daily?"
I conclude that Fleurenville is continuously adapting and addressing innovative changes related to quality of life, independence, healthcare and safety. In addition, we are keeping up with significant infrastructure developments needed to support an ageing society, including its economic impact.
So, on that note: To all our Fleurenville residents, keep rocking your age and embracing life to the fullest. After all, 80 is the new 20.
Jan Heystek
CEO
Fleurenville Aged Care
